Maigari inaugurates Premier League Management Committee

The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League Management Committee for 2012/2013, Nduka Irabor has promised Nigerians the members would their best to re-position the Premier League according to the directives and stipulates of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Premier League Management Committee was inaugurated yesterday at the Board Room of the NFF Secretariat by Glass House boss, Aminu Maigari and the elated League boss, while responding after the inauguration, promised to salvage the league’s battered image.

“It is a great honour and privilege to serve the nation on a football matter that nearly all Nigerians are interested in. In any case, every national assignment ought to be considered a privilege.

“It is surely a challenging assignment but with the calibre of the people we will be working together with in this Committee, I believe the task will be made easier.

“There is much to be done within a limited period in the 2012/2013 League year of our tenure but we will make the best out of the period. Football is one matter that everybody has a strong opinion about. We welcome ideas because we are not sole custodians of all (football) ideas. But we are going to be strict and decisive in our decisions in the interest of the Nigeria Premier League.

“What even makes this task more challenging is that I was not contacted for this job. It was after it was announced on television before I got in touch with the NFF president”, Irabor disclosed.

The NFF boss however charged the League Committee to ensure it commences work before the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

“Time, I dare say, is not the friend of the 2012/2013 Premier League Management Committee. The 2012/2013 League season must commence by January, even if only a few matches would have been played before the 29th Africa Cup of Nations starts in South Africa”, Maigari disclosed at the inauguration.

After its inauguration, the Committee met and agreed that the new season will kick-off February 16 and that each club must deposit a mandatory sum of N50million as bond to any of the banks before it would be allowed to participate in the league.

2012/2013 PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

1. Nduka Irabor – Chairman

2. Sabo Babayaro – Vice Chairman

3. Salisu Abubakar – Member

4. Modele-Yusuf (Mrs) – Member

5. Mike Enahoro – Member

6. Kunle Elebute – Member

7. Shehu Dikko – Member

8. Nwankwo Kanu – Member

9. Ifeanyi Dike – Member

10. Seyi Akinwunmi – Member

11. Dan Buran – Member

12. Mike Idoko – Member

13. Tunji Babalola – Secretary

Terms of Reference

1. Organise the 2012/2013 League.

2. Review all contractual obligations of the NPL, including TV and Sponsorship rights.

3. Develop strategy and facilitate the reform of the League towards achieving profitability.

4. Review existing rules and guidelines for the election into NPL Board